英语访谈对话 487 Hiking

 　　Todd: So, Steven, what do you like to do in your free time?

　　Steven: Um, free time. Well, I would just love to have some free time, occasionally¹ I have some free time and well, I love to go hiking. Ah, I live in Japan in Kyuushuu and there are some beautiful mountains quite nearby to where I live so sometimes I go, I go hiking in the mountains.

　　Todd: Well, actually, I love hiking and I am new to Kyuushuu (Right) I just moved here, so can you tell me where I should go hiking. What are the best spots?

　　Steven: Right, well, there's one range of mountains in Kuju. One of the mountains is called Nakadake, which means central peak, I believe, and that is actually the highest, the highest peak, the highest mountain on mainland² Kyuushuu. There is one higher mountain on an island near Kagoshima but on mainland Kyuushuu that's the highest peak and it's quite a challenge and there are some beautiful views from that mountain.

　　Todd: Wow! Is it a day hike? Can I hike it in one day?

　　Steven: Oh, sure. It takes about three hours to go up and the descent³ takes about two hours.

　　It takes about two hours to come back down.

　　Todd: Oh, that's great well, we live on Beppu and Beppu is on the coast. It's on the ocean, so how can

　　I get to the mountain. Unfortunately, I don't have a car, so can I take the train or a bus?

　　Steven: Um, I'm not absolutely sure. I've only ever been by car myself. Um, I don't believe there's a train that

　　stops by the mountain but you can certainly get closer than you are now by train, and then you can perhaps

　　take a bus or even a taxi from a town closer by. I don't know. I'm sorry.

　　Todd: Oh, that's OK. Well, you know, I've never done it before, but I hear that it's safe

　　to hitchhike in Japan. Is that true?

　　Steven: Oh, absolutely. Yep. Yep. The crime rate in Japan is so low. You'd have to be incredibly

　　unlucky to have any problems hitchhiking

　　Todd: And will people stop and pick me up?

　　Steven: Ah, that I don't know.

　　Todd: Maybe I'll have to give it a try. OK, thanks a lot.

　　Steven: You're welcome.

1 occasionally   

adv.偶然地；非经常地

参考例句：

• He went on talking,occasionally wiping at his face with a towel.他继续说着，偶尔用毛巾擦一下脸。
• I like playing football best,but occasionally I play table tennis,too.我最喜欢踢足球，偶尔也打打乒乓球。

2 mainland   

n.大陆，本土

参考例句：

• The new bridge will link the island to the mainland.新的桥梁将把该岛与大陆连接在一起。
• Hong Kong's prosperity relies heavily on mainland.香港的繁荣在很大程度上依赖于大陆。

3 descent   

n.下降，下倾，斜坡，坡道，血统，世系

参考例句：

• We watched anxiously during her descent from the tree.我们焦急地看着她从树上爬下来。
• Many Americans are of English descent.许多美国人的祖籍是英国。